Margaret Petersen

July 14 1938 ~ March 25, 2012

Marina ~ It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the death of our Mom, Margaret Alene Petersen, better known to her family and friends as Dusty. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, March 25. Dusty was born July 14, 1938 in Neosho, Missouri and resided in Marina for over 40 years. It was here that she made a wonderful home which she was very proud of and where she raised her four girls.

Dusty worked for many years in the hospitality industry on the Peninsula and, at age 40, she went back to school and received her Cosmetology Degree. However, her most cherished memories are from the many years she worked as an instructor at the Fort Ord Arts and Crafts Center mostly in the Photography Department and the Frame Shop. She loved being able to help others and did so throughout her life.

Dusty was always very small and petite but touched the lives of many people with her warm smile, generosity and enormous heart. She was known to many as Grandma Dusty and Aunt Neenie. She maintained her sense of humor all the way to the end. Dusty loved quilting, dancing, playing on her computer, laughing and being with her family. But above all else – she loved toting on her granddaughters.

Dusty was one of six children born to the late Alfred and Margaret Rowe. She will be remembered forever by her loving siblings, Bobby, Barbara, Ethel and Lucille; her beloved children, Donna Garcia, Diane (Randy) Quimby, Glenda (Harald) Kelley and Sherry (Doug) Brady and her treasured granddaughters, Megan Quimby and Lyndsey and Ashley Brady, along with countless other family and friends who were blessed to know her. Dusty was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “ Pete” Petersen, in 1996 and her brothers, John and Jimmie Rowe.

Dusty’s family would like to thank Drs. Cindy Lee and John Koostra and their staff for the wonderful care given to her which allowed us to have many more treasured years and memories with our mom.

A Celebration of Dusty’s Life will take place at The Paul Mortuary Chapel on Friday, March 30 at 10:00 AM followed by burial at El Carmelo Cemetery, both in Pacific Grove.